It's ingenious.
A jet that's half cargo-half passenger.
And Kelowna-based KF Aerospace is a huge part of the innovation because it did the world's first Boeing 737-800 Combi Conversion for Air Inuit.
Typically, a 737-800 jet has around 160 to 189 seats in its main deck and a limited amount of cargo space in the underbelly.
The Combi Conversion essentially redesigns the main deck into a half-and-half configuration.
There are five positions for cargo on pallets in the forward section behind the cockpit and seats for 90 passengers in the aft, arranged in the traditional three seats either side of a single aisle.
The retrofit work was done at KF Aerospace's headquarters and hangars, which are located on Airport Way just north of the airport's passenger terminal.
Besides the obvious substantial interior redesign, the conversion required the engineering, integration and installation of fire detection and suppression systems, cargo section smoke containment and modification of freighter-specific detection systems that required hundreds of new parts and custom-engineered solutions.
An essential part of the project was cutting out part of the fuselage to make way for the big cargo door needed to get pallets in and out of the front portion of the plane.
“The achievement of the 737-800 Combi underscores the power of a true partnership that KF and AEI (Miami-based Aeronautical Engineers Inc.) have enjoyed over the course of three decades,” said Robert T. Convey, senior vice President at AEI.
“By combining AEI’s cargo door conversion expertise with KF’s engineering and operational strengths, we are able to deliver a world-first Combi that unlocks new possibilities for operators worldwide.”
KF Aerospace employees 750 people at its Kelowna headquarters, making it the city's largest private-sector employer.
KF Aerospace is no stranger to plane retrofitting.
It's turned passenger planes into cargo planes and vice versa.
But, the half cargo-half passenger Combi Conversion for Air Inuit is history-making and pioneering for the Boeing 737-800.
KF Aerospace is a major international aviation player and also does other maintenance and retrofitting for Boeing, WestJet, Air Canada, United, Alaska Airlines, Air North, Sunwing, Icelandair and government and military clients.
The Air Inuit conversion has received Transport Canada approval and is now flying between Montreal and Kuujjuaq, the largest Inuit community in Nunavik in northeastern Quebec.
“Our investment in this next-generation combi reflects Air Inuit’s commitment to innovation that directly serves the unique passenger and freight needs of the communities and the people we serve,” said Christian Busch, CEO of Air Inuit.
“This aircraft allows us to modernize northern jet service while preserving the flexibility that is essential to our mission.”
KF Aerospace is calling the Combi Conversion a milestone.
“This project reflects the ingenuity, dedication, and deep technical expertise of our entire team,” said Gregg Evjen, president of KF Aerospace.
"KF is proud to deliver a world-first solution that expands what’s possible in aircraft conversion and supports our customers’ complex operational needs.”
